US Bishops Say Thursday's Anniversary Is 'Time to Give Thanks'

Francis Marks One Year as Pope on March 13

WASHINGTON, D.C., March 11, 2014 (Zenit.org) - The first anniversary of the election of Pope Francis, March 13, is a time to give thanks, said the U.S. bishops' Administrative Committee, meeting in Washington, March 11-12. The Administrative Committee is the highest ranking body of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops when the bishops are not in plenary session.

"He has encouraged us to be a Church of the poor and for the poor, reaching out to the marginalized and being present to those on the periphery of society," the bishops said in the statement issued March 11. "He has set an example by choosing a personal simplicity of life, by washing the feet of prisoners, and by taking into his hands and kissing the badly disfigured."

The entire statement follows.

STATEMENT OF THE USCCB ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE

ON THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE ELECTION OF POPE FRANCIS

Gathered together in Washington, DC, for their annual March meeting, the members of the Administrative Committee of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops have noted with thanksgiving the first anniversary of the election of His Holiness Pope Francis as the 266th successor of the Apostle Peter.

In his first year in office, Pope Francis has consistently called upon Catholics to look again at the fundamental values of the Gospel. He has encouraged us to be a Church of the poor and for the poor, reaching out to the marginalized and being present to those on the periphery of society. He has set an example by choosing a personal simplicity of life, by washing the feet of prisoners, and by taking into his hands and kissing the badly disfigured. His Holiness has also set in motion a process that will lead to the reshaping of the Roman Curia in a way that will enhance the effectiveness of his ministry and better serve the needs of the Church in our present day.

In this way the Holy Father has brought to light new dimensions of the Petrine Ministry and added new life to the office he holds. His constant outreach to the alienated, his emphasis on mercy and his sheer humanity have served as an inspiration not only to Catholics but also to other Christians and people of good will around the globe. On this first anniversary of his election, the Administrative Committee invites the prayers of all the faithful that Christ our Lord will bless Pope Francis and grant him many years of fruitful ministry as Bishop of Rome, as the Servant of the Servants of God.

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